Action for piano-players.



C. L. DAVIS.

ACTION FOR PIANO PLAYE RS. APPLICATION FILED 1ULY27, I905.

1,169,131. Patented Ja11.25,1916.

I i v 5 5 13 a9 7 x 1 J i. q 55 a 7 Z I 17mm I 1 62 5 60,

neirrnn snares PATENT onrion.

onannns L. DAVIS, or nnrnorr, MICHIGAN, assrcivon, BY iunslvn ASSIGNMENTS, To A. MILLER. BELFIELD AND JOHN P. MENTZER, rnus'rnne, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ACTION Fen rmn'o-rnavnns.

. Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 1916.

To all whom 2'1 may concern:

Be it citizen of the United States, residing at a. Detroit, in the county of VVayne and State I of Michigan, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Actions for Piano-Players, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to pneumatic actions for mechanical piano players and similar instruments.

The principal object of the invention is,

to provide a simple, practical and effective form of pneumatic action which shall be airtight.

The action which I show herein ismade of metal, and is so constructed that the metallic parts can be firmly and tightly l secured together and thereby secure the determinal fittings S, 8.

sired impermeability to air.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is'a plan view of a portion of an action embodying lily-present invention; Fig. 2 is a cross section taken on line in Fig- '1; Fig. is a modified form 01. the invention.

Referring first to F 1 and 2 the action which I show herein comprises upper and lower fiat plates 1 and 2 which are extended across the player or other instrument containing the action, to any desired extent or length. These two ')ieccs or plates are secured tightly togethcrso as to form an airtight compartment 2, serving as a clian'iber or duct for the air. Boththese pieces are desirably of sheet metal of any desired kind. The upper plate 1 is provided with a series of circular projections 3, 3 whose tops 3 a are provided. with central openings or apertures 4, at, the tape 3 being adapted to form valve seats, and the openings 4. being provided with bridges 5 having apertures for the valve stems. Mounted upon the tops 3. which formvalve ts, are valves 6, (3 adapted te 'closc the openings 4:, a. and provided with stems 7, '7, and extended through the apertures in the bridges 5, 5. The valve stems i, 7. are provided with projections 3, 3, which he formed by known that 1, CHARLES L. Davis,

rated upon the tions 3, 3, as for example by threading said I proJections and said hoods. The tops of the hoods 9 are provided with apertures 10 containing bridges 11, 11 which serve as sup ports and guides for the upper ends 12 of the valve spindles. The valves 6 are also provided with flat valve plates 13 adapted to close the apertures lO. From the hoods 9 are extended metal pipes 14, 14 connected with the heads 9 by threaded metallic collars 15. These pipes 14 extend down to and are connected with pneumatics 16, 16 which are located at intervals below the pneumatic duct formed by the plates 1 and 2. These pneumatics are of any suitable form and shape, and are provided with connections 17 by which they operate parts of the in- I strument as. desired. The upper plate 1 is also provided with apertures into which are fitted metallic thimbles 18. These thimbles 18 are desirably arranged to screw into said apertures from below, and are pro-- screwing it upon the'same. This cap 22 has a central aperture 23, and is provided with a valve 24 adapted to close the aperture 23. The valve stem 25 of this valve extends down through the apertures 23 and 21 and'carries a lower valve 26 and also a terminal. 27 i The lower plate 2 is provided with circular rims or flanges 28 and 29 located respectively below the valve mechanisms above described. A metal cap 30 is securedbelow the rim 28 by a metallic rim 31, and a leather pouch 32 is located above the cap 30 and secured in place by having itsedges clamped between the edge of the rim 30 and the bottom of the rim 28. In a similar way the cap 83 is secured by a ring 34: to the rim 29 from the socket 37 to the cap 22. Another tube 40 extends from the socket 38 up to the tracker board.

The operation of the device is as follows;

the same and causing the valve 26 to rise and closethe port 21 and the valve 2st to open the port 23, thereby permitting the outside air to have access to the tube 39. This air traverses said tube and enters the chamber formed by the socket 37, thereby causing the pouch 32 to rise and lift the valve 6. This closes the port 10 and opens the port 4, thereby throwing the interior of the hood 9 into communication with the vacuum chamber formed by the plates 1 and 2, whereupon the .air is instantaneously exhausted from said tube and pipe l i and pneumatic 16, thereby causing the pneumatic to collapse and operate.

It will be seen that all parts of the action being metal and being screwed firmly to gether, form an absolutely air-tight action which will prevent trouble by leakage of air.

In Fig. 3 I have shown the action so construeted as to permit the separate valve nwehanisms and pneumatics to be bodily removed. In this arrangement I have shown separate boxlike structures 1, 1 which correspond to the chamber formed by the upper and lower plates 1 and Q of Figs. 1 and 2. These boxlike structures 1, 1 are connected by tubes 41, 41 with a long tube or duct 42 which runs to or is connected with the windmducing apparatus of the instrument. The other parts of the apparatus are the same. Thus in this arrangement a condition of ex haust is maintained in the separate boxes 1, 1, so that the valve mechanisms operate as in the previously described arrangcmenti The tubes 41,i-t.1 are detachably connected with the boxes 1, 1, so that the latter with their alves and pneumatics, can be separately and bodily removed to be replaced and repaired.

It will be understood that changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit'ot my invention.

hat 1 claim iS'Z- 1. A pneumatic piano player action, comprising a casing forming a pneumatic trunk and adapted for connection with the windinducing a 'iparatus, primary and secondary valve casings mounted on one top of and having threaded connection with said casing and provided with primary and secondary valves, primary and secondary pouch boardshung below said casing, a tracker board tube connected with the primary pouch board,

and a tube connection running from the primary valve casing to the secondary pouch oare.

This aptS upon the puppet valve spindle elevating 2. A pneumatic piano player act-ion, com- .prising a casing forming a pneumatic chamber, primary and secondary valve casings mounted upon said first mentioned casing and provided with primary and secondary valves, the said first-mentioned casing forming the valve seat for the secondary valve, and the primary iasing forming the valve seat for the primary,valve, primary and secondary pouch boards hung from the lower side of said first mentioned casing, a tracker board tube running to the primary pouch board, and a tube connection extending from the primary valve casing to the secondary pouch board.

3. A pneumatic action, comprising a pneumatic chamber adapted for connection with the wind-inducing apparatus, primary and secondary valve casings mounted detachably upon the top of said chamber, a primary valve supported by the primary valve casing, a secondary valve located within the secondary valve casing, pouches below said valves, pouch boards below'said J pouches, detachable rings for detachably connecting the pouch boards with said pneumatic casing, and a tube extending from the primary valve casing to the secondary valve pouch board.

4. Apneuma'tic action, comprising a easing forming a pneumatic chamber for connection with the wind-inducing apparatus,

primary and secondary valve casings mounted upon'and having screw-threaded connection with the top of said pneumatic chamber casing, a primary valve supported by said primary valve casing, a secondary valve inclosed within the secondary valve casing, pouches below said valves, pouch boards below said pouches, threaded rings having screw-threaded connections with said pneumatic chamber casing. and a tube connection between the primary valve casing and the secondary pouch board.

A pneumatic action. comprising a casing providing a chamber for connection with the wind-inducing apparatus. a thimble 18 for the primary valve. said thimhle having a screw-thr*adcd connection with said casing. a cap 22 having a tl'lreaded con i nection with the thimblc 18. a primary valvc puppet having valves 2-1: and'2(' the upper one of which rests upon the top of the cap 22 and the lower one of which is located below the top' 19 ot the thimhlc .13.- a sci ondary valve casing 9 having a .threadcd connection with the casing formed in said pneumatic chamber, a secondary valve I; located in said casing 9. pouches 32 and 35 below said valves. pouch boards 30 and 3 below said pouches, rings 31 and 34 having threaded connections with the casing torming said pneumatic chamber and supporting said pouch boards. a tube connection 3H extending between the cap 22 and pouch board 30, a tube 40 extending from the pouch board 23 to the tracker board, and a power pneumatic tube connection 14:.

6. A pneumatic action, compris ng a casing forming-a pneumatlc trunk and adapted for connection with the wind-inducing ap paratus, primary and secondary valve hoods or caps mounted on top of and having threaded connection with said casing, pri

maryand secondary valves carried by. said hoods or caps, pouch boards mounted below the valves and supporting the pouches, a tube connection between the primary valve hood and thesecondary pouch board, and

a separable connection for said pneumatic chamber casing, whereby the same can be bodily detached and removed. I 7. In a pneumatic action, the combination with acasing providing a pneumatic chamber, of a thimble 18. extending up through the casing, a; cap 22 fitted to the thimble 18, and a valve stem 25 having valves 24 and .263-the former above the cap thimble 18. I a I 8. In a pneumatic action, the combination with a casing providing a pneumatic chamber, of a thimble 18 extended through the wall of saidi chamber and having a threaded connection therewith, said thimble being provided with flanges 20, a cap 22 having a threaded connection with the thimble l8, and avalve stem 25 extending through apertures inthe cap 22 and. top 19 '22 and the'latter below the top 19 of the of the thimble 18, said stem being provided with valves 24: and 26, whereof the valve 24 rests upon the cap 22 and the valve 26 is located below the top 19 of the thimble 18.

Spin a pneumatic action, the combination of a casing providing a pneumatic chamber, of a projection 3 'formed from said casing, and a hood 9 fitted to the pro jection 3 and containing a valve which is seated upon said projection.

10. In a pneumatic action, the combina tion of a casing providing a pneumatic chamber, the wall of sald casing bemg provided with a pro ecting r m 3 havlng a top )a u, a hood 9 havinga threaded connection with the rim 3, and a valve 6 seated upon the top 3?- 11. In a pneumatic action, the combination of a metal casing forming a windtrunk and having an annular projection 28 formed from the metal comprising the bottom of said casing and projecting downwardly from said bottom, a pouch holding disk arranged below said annular projection, a

pouch having 1ts edge located between said annular projection and said pouch disk, and a ring 31 having sides which extend up the outside of said annular projection and have a screw threaded connection with the same, said ring also having a flange whlch extends laterally so as to come below the outer anjection formed on the top of said casing and a valve hood or cap mounted'upon and detachably' connected with said projectioh. j 14. A pneumatic action comprising a tu-, bular casing providing a windw-ay, primaryvalve-holding]mechanism consistingofa thimble detachably connected with the top of said casing and a cap or hood mounted upon said thimble and detachably connected there= 8 with, and a secondary valve-holding mechanism consisting of an annular projection formed in the top of said casing and a valvel ling hood or cap m'ounted upon and deection. A I

15.}A pneumatic action comprising a tubular cas i' g providing a windway, prlmary valve holding mechanism consistlng of a ta'chably connected with said annular p'rothimble detachably connected with the top of 5 said casing and a cap or hood mounted upon and detachably connected with said thimble, asecondary valve-holding mechanism con'- sisting of an annular projection formed in the top of said casing and a valve-holding hood or cap mounted upon and detachably connected with said annular projection, and primary and secondary pouch holding de: vices detachably supported belowsaid pr1-' mary and secondary v'alve mechanisms, said 106 pouch-holding devices being arranged below openings formed in the bottom of said wind way casing and being provided with pouches. '16. A pneumatic action comprising a tubular casing thimble detachablyconnected with the top of said'casing and a cap or hood mounted upon and detachably connected "wlth said anism consisting of an annular projection formed in the top of said casing and a valve- -holding hood or cap mounted upon and detachably connected with said'annular proing devices detachabiy, supported below said primary and secondary valve mechanisms, said pouch-holding devices being arranged below openings formed in the bottom of said windway casing and being provided with 125 pouches, and primary and secondary valves 111 said primary ing mechanisms.

17. A. pneumatic action comprisinga tubular casing formlnga w nd trunk, primary providing a'windway, primary valve-holding mechanism consisting of a thimble, a secondary valve holding mech- 115 jection, primary and secondary pouch-hold- 7 and secondary valve casings mounted on top of said wind trunk, pouch-holding devices and pouches carried by the bottom of said wind trunk, and tubes or pipes forming pneumatic connections between the primary valve casings and the secondary pouchholding devices and extended laterally from said primary valve casings around the edge of the wind trunk and down underneath the same to the pouch-holding devices.

18. A pneumatic action comprising a tubular casing providing a trunk, primary and secondary valve casings mounted on and having threaded connections with said trunk casing, pouch-holding devices carried by the bottom of said trunk casingbelow said valve casings, valves carried by the valve casings, pouches carried by the pouch-holding devices, and tubes or pipes extending between the primary valve casings and the secondary pouch-holding devices.

19. A pneumatic action comprising a tubular casing providing a wind trunk, primary and secondary valve casings detachably secured to the top of the wind trunk, pouch-holding devices and pouches detachably secured to the bottom of the wind trunk, said pouch-holding devices comprising pouch plates and independent rings having threaded connections with thebottom of the wind trunk, and tubes or pipes extending between the primary valve casings and the secondary pouch plates and connected with the same.

20. A pneumatic action comprising a tubular casing providing a wind trunk, primary and secondary valve casings having threaded connection with the top of said wind trunk and arranged in rows along the same, pouch-holding disks and pouches be low said valve casings; threaded rings having threaded connection with the bottom of the .wind trunk and engaging the pouch plates to hold the same in position, and tubes or pipes extending between the primary valve casings and the secondary pouchand secondary valve casings having threaded connections with the top of said windway casing, and pouch-holding devices having threaded connections with the bottom of said casing, in combination with valves and pouches.

24. A pneumatic action comprising a tubular casing providing a windway, a valve support comprising a thimble having a threaded connection with the top of said windway casing, and a cap having a threaded connection with said thimble.

A pneumatic action comprising a tubular casing providing a windway, and-a valve-holding mechanism comprising a projection formed on the top of said casing and a valve hood or cap having a threaded connection with said projection.

26. A pneumatic action comprising a tubular casing providing a windway, a primary valve-holding mechanism consisting of a thimble having a threaded connection with the top of said casing and a cap or hood having a threadedv connection with said thinible, and a secondary valve-holding mechanism consisting of a projection formed on the top of said casing and a valve-holding hood orcap having a threaded connection with said projection.

27. A pneumatic action comprising a tubular casing providing a windway, primary valve-holding mechanism consisting of a thimble having a threaded connection with the top of said casing and a .cap or hood having a threaded connection with said thimble, a secondary valve-holding mechanism consisting of a projection formed in the top of said casing and a valve-holding hood or cap having a threaded connection with said projection, and primary and secondary pouch disks detacl'iably supported below openings formed in the bottom of said windway casing below said valve-holding mechanisms.

28. A windway casing for pneumatic actions, having its top provided with an aperture for the primary valve-holding device, and also provided with a formed-up projection for the secondary valve-holding device, and having its bottom provided with two apertures for pouches.

29. A windway casing for pneumatic actions, having its top provided with an aperture for the primary valve-holding device,.

and also provided with a formed-up portion for the secondary valve-holding device, and having its bot-tom provided with two apertures for pouches, formed by downwardly extending rims.

30. The comblnation of a wind trunk, a series of primaries and a series of secondaries, said primaries and secondaries being arranged in rows directly upon the top of the wind trunk and both being served by the same, and pneumatic connections between the primaries and secondaries.

' 31. A windway casing for pneumatic acbular casing providing a wmdway, primary valve-holding devices mounted detachably ides,

tions whose top is provided with an integrallylormed upwardly projecting cap poron the top and along one side of said casing, secondary valveliolding devices detachably' mounted on the top and along the other side of said casing,- primary and secondary pouch-holding devices detachably secured to the/bottom of said casing below said pin mary and secondary valves, pouches carried by said pouch-holding devices, andtubular connections betweenjthe. primary valve casings and the secondzti'y pouch-holding de vices. Y

34;. A pneumatic action, comprising primary and Secondary valve mechanisms ar-ri ranged in rows, said mechanisms comprising valve-holding and pouch-holding devices detaohably held in place and a common Wind trunk on which both said primary and secondar valvemechanisms are mounted, and tnbuar connections between the primary valve=holding devices and the secondary pouch-holding devices.

35. A pneumatic action comprising primary and secondary valve mechanisms, said valve mechanisms comprising detachably connected valve-holding casings and detachably connected pouch holding disks, a common windway communicating with both the primary and secondary valve holding casings, tubular connections between the primary valve casings and the secondary pouchholding disks, and primary and secondary "all es: a I I v i 36i'lhe combination of a hollow metal casing forming a windtrunk, metallic valve casings 'detachably secured to said Wind trunk casing, pneumatics located below said casing and tubes connected with said valve casings and extended down at one side of the Wind trunk casing, said pneumatics being connected to and suspended from the lower ends of said tubes and extending under'neath the wind trunk casing.

37. A metallic Wind-trunk casing for pneumatic actions having a projection formed on its top of the material of which the top is composed, said projection being adapted to form a valve seat, and a valve casing having a threaded connection with said projection, a pouch below the valve casing, said wind trunk casing having an aperture for said pouch, and a detachably secured pouch-holding device arranged below said pouch for holding same in position.

38,. A windway casing for pneumatic ac tions, in combination, with a pair of members dctachably connectedwith the top of said wi-ndway casing and providing a valve seat and chamber, a'valve mounted upon the upper one of said members and within.

the othe.-, a ponol1-liolding device detachthe air-opening of said hood.

valve opening thereof, and also-controlling 40.. A casing forming a wind-trunk, a se-- ries of valve openings along the topof said casing, valves for said openings-seated upon said casing, and hoods inclosing'said valves and having threaded connections with said casing, said hoods having air-openings controlled by. said. valves.

I 41 A pneumatic casing forming a windtrunk, a thimble detachably connected with the top ofsaid casing, a cap detachably connected with said thimble, a valve seated upon said cap, and a pneumatic connection with said cap communicating with the into-- rior thereof. A casing forming a wind-trunk and having its top provided along one side with a series of valve seats and valve-openings, and provided along the other side Witheseries of openings for valve casings;

43. Thecombination of a hollow metal casing forming a wind trunk, metallic valve casings dctachablysecured to said Wind Y trunk casing, 'pneumatics located below said casing and tubes connected with said valve casings and extended down at one side of the wind trunk casing, said pneumatics being connected to and suspended from the lower ends of said tubes and extending underneath the Wind trunk casing, valves in said valve ca'singsand diaphragms for actuating said valves, said diaphragms being located within said Wind trunk casing.

44. The combination of a tubular metallic casing serving as a'wind trunk, primary and secondary valve casings mounted upon and carried by the same side vof said casing,

pouch holding devices for said primaries and secondaries, said pouch holding devices being mounted upon and carried by the side of said tubular casing opposite the valve casings, tracker board tubes running to the a wind-trunk, two sets of valve-mechanismsarranged in rows along and mounted upon the same side of said casing, and communieating with one and 'the same wind'trunk formed by the casing, and pneumatic connections for said valve-mechanisms.

46. The combination with a casing form-' ing-a wind trunk, of primaries and secondaries mounted on the top of said wind' trunk and served by the same, and power pneumatics also served by said wind trunk.

-L7. The combination withametallic casing forminga wind-trunk of a cylindric valve casing having an open end which is internally threaded and has a screw threaded connection with said wind-trunk casing.

L8. The combination of a metallic casing forming a i'vind-trunlna cylindric projection projecting from one wall of said wind trunk, and a metallic valve casing having a cylindric open end which is internally screw threaded and has a screw threaded connec tion with said projection on said wind trunk casing.

49. The combination of a metallic casing forming a wind trunk, a metallic valve casing having a cylindricopen end which is internally screw threaded and has a screw threaded connection with one side of the wind trunk casing, ametallic pouch disk, and means for hanging said pouch disk detachably upon the side ot' said wind trunk ca'singopposite said valve casin 50., The combination of a tubular casing forming a wind trunk, of valve casings mounted upon said wind trunk, metallic tubular members detachably connected to said.

valve casings-and striking pneumatics secured to and supported by said tubular members.

51. The combination of a tubular casing forming a wind trunk, valve casings mounted upon said tubular easing, tubular members detachably secured to said valve casings and extended downwardly at one side of the wind trunk casing, and striking pneumatics secured to the lower ends of said tubular men'ibers and extended under said wind trunk casing.

i 52. Thecombination of a tubular casing :lormin a wind. trunk, valve casings detachably secured to said wind trunk, tubular members detachably secured to said valve casing, and extending downwardlyat one side of the wind trunk. and power pneumatics secured to and supported by said tubular members.

53. The combination of a tubular casing forming a wind trunk, valve casings detach-ably secured to said WlllCltIllIlk, tu-

bular members also forming means for detachably supporting said pneumatics.

The combination of a tubular casing forming a wind trunk, striking pneumatics arranged underneath said casing, tubular members forming supports for said pneumatics and means for detachably connecting said tubular members with said wind trunk casing. I y

,56. The combination of a tubular easing forming a w'indway, power pneumatics arranged below said casing, tubular members extending upwardly from said pneumatics at one side of said windway casing and thence horizontally above said windway casing, and valve casings mounted upon said windway casing and connected with the ends of said tubular members.

57. The combination of'a tubular casing forming a wind trunk, valve casings detachably secured to said windtrunk casing, and power pneumatics detachably secured to said valve casings.

58. The combination of a tubular metallic easingforming a' wind trunk, metallic valve casings detachably connected with said wind trunk casing, and power pncun'iatics located underneath said wind trunk casing and de tachably connected with the same.

The com ination of a tubular metalliccasing forming a wind trunk, metallic valve casingsdetachably connected with metallic tubular members which are extended downwardly-from said valve casings.

60. The-combination with a wind trunk casing of a valve casing associated therewith and communicating with the interior of said Wind tru'nkcasing, said valve casing having a partition between its top and bottom, said partition being provided with an aperture or port and said valve casing also having an aperture or port in its top, a valve located in said casing between the top thereof and said partition and arranged to open and close the ports in said top and partition, the

- portion of said valve casing below said partition communicating with said wind trunk casing, and a striking pneumatic and tube theretoi', said tubecommunicatmg with the portion of said valve casing between the top thereof and the partition therein.

61. The combination of a wind trunk casing, of a valve structure therefor above said casing, a tube running from said valve I it) structure and also above said casing, and a striking pneumatic underneath said casing trunk casing and secured to one side only of the same;

63: The combination of a wind trunk casing, and a series of metallic valve casings mounted upon the top of said wind trunk casing, the lower ends of said valve casings being open and communicating directly with the interior of said wind trunk casin 65. The combination with a substantially fiat wind trunk casing arranged horizontally in fiat wise position, of a series of cylindric valve casings containing valves, said valve casings being detachably secured directly to said wind trunk casing with the .valves' Witnesses:

therein in horizontal planes, neumatics underneath said wind trunk casing and 7 tubes or pipes connected'with the sides-of casing.

said valve casings and extending therefrom to said pneumatics.

66. The combination of a wind trunk cas ing, and a structure attached to said cas ng,

- said structure having a recessed portion containing a valvefand a duct or passage ex- I tendingdownwardly from said recessed por tion' at one side ofthe-wind trunk casing-in combination with, a pneumatic attached to the lower end of said duct or passage portion and extended underneath said wind trunk 67. The combination of a wind trunk casing, a metallic structure 'c'omprising-a- -receased portion containing a valve and having communication with the interior of said wind trunk, and a duct or passage portion extending downwardly from said valve con taining portion at one side of the wind trunk casing, said structure being detachably se cured to said wind trunk casing, and apneumatic located at the lower end'o'f' said duct or passage portion and communicating therewith, said. pneumatic being arranged underneath said structure and said wind trunk casing-v k In witne'ss 'whereof, I hereuntoY-subscribe my name this 20th day of July, A. 1),;1905'.)

CHARLES L." DAVIS.

GH'As. R. W nners.)-

' CHAs. H. Ansrnsr, 

